PREFACE。

IThasbeenremarkedtome，thatiftherewerenootherreasonwhyaveryreluctantattentionshouldbegrantedtothisPamphlet，therewouldbe"notime"tonoticeadiscussionoftheLaw，arisingoutofaffairspurelypersonal，ataperiodwhensubjectsofmomentouspublicimportanceoccupythemindsofallmen。

InanswertothatremarkIcanonlysay，thatIhaveneveryetseenthepublicmindinastateofsuchundividedattention。IhavenodoubtthatinthepresentSession，asinallothers，therewillbe"time"forallusualemployments；timeforassemblies，operas，andballs；timeforraces，club—dinners，andf&ecirc；tes；timeforreadingworksofscience，andworksoffiction；forthemostabstractstudy，andforthemostfrivolousgossip；timetodiscusswhetherthearmsofScotlandareproperlyquarteredwiththearmsofEngland，aswellastodebatewhethertheEmperorofRussiaistomakewarupontheworld。ItwouldbepayingEnglishmenapoorcomplimenttosupposethattheonesubjecttheyaredeterminednottofindtimefor，isthereformofsomeoftheirownlaws；areformconfidentlyalludedtobytheLordChancellor，inhisspeechofthe14thFebruarylastyear；andformallyintroducedasoneofthetopicsoftheQueen’sSpeechattheopeningofParliament。

LordCampbell，——inhisbrilliantandinterestingwork，"TheLivesoftheChancellors，"——tellsusthatinthesessionof1758PageivreferencewasmadetotheJudgesonthemotionofex—ChancellorHardwicke，respectingabillforamendingthelawofHabeasCorpus；anditwasproposedtointroduceanewbillintheensuingsession。"ButI

amsorrytosay，"——observesLordCampbell，——"thatwhenthenextsessionarrived，nothingwasthoughtofexceptthetakingofQUEBEC；andthesubjectwasnotagainresumed，tilltheverycloseofthereignofGeorgeIII。"

Nowitiscertainlypossible，thatinlikemannertheLaw—reformssoconfidentlypromisedforthissession，maybesetaside；andsomefuturewriterofChancellors’Lives，mayexpresshisregret，that"intheSessionof1854littlewasthoughtofexceptthetakingofSEBASTOPOL。"

But，ifanotherhalfcenturyshouldglideawaywithoutreforminourEcclesiasticalandotherCourts（asmorethanhalfacenturyelapsed，betweenthemotionofex—ChancellorHardwickeandtheamendmentoftheHabeasCorpusAct）shallwesetitalldowntotheoverwhelminginteresttakeninQuebecandSebastopol？

Shallwenotratherlookforthesolutionofthesedelays，inacertainsupinenessonthepartofthosewhoworkthemachineryofjustice？andinfact（alsostatedbyLordCampbell）that"itisverydifficulttodrawthenoticeoftherepresentativesofthepeopletomeasuresfortheAmendmentsoftheLaw"？Difficulttodrawattentiontosuchmeasures；notdifficulttofind"time，"eitherfortheirdiscussion，ortheconsiderationofanyexampleswhichmayprovethenecessityofchange。

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（body）

ENGLISHLAWSFORWOMEN。BYC。NORTON。["ItwontdotohaveTRUTHANDJUSTICEonourside；WemusthaveLAWANDLAWYERS。"]CHARLESDICKENS。*Itakethosewordsasmytext。

Inconsequenceoftheimperfectstateofthelaw，Ihavesufferedbitterly，andforanumberofyears：Ihavelatelybeeninsulted，defrauded，andlibelled：andasthelawisconstitutedIfindredressimpossible。

Topublishcommentsonmyowncaseforthesakeofobtainingsympathy；toprovemerelythatmyhusbandhasbeenunjust，andmyfateahardone，wouldbeaverypoorandbarrenambition。Iaspiretoadifferentobject。Idesiretoprove，notmysufferingorhisinjustice，butthatthepresentlawofEnglandcannotpreventanysuchsuffering，orcontrolanysuchinjustice。Iwriteinthehopethatthelawmaybeamended；andthatthosewhoareatpresentsoill—providedastohaveonly"TruthandJustice"ontheirside，mayhereafterhavethebenefitof"LawandLawyers。"

Iknowallthatcanbesaidonmyinterferencewithsuchasubject；alltheprejudiceandcontemptwithwhichmenwillreceiveargumentsfromawoman，andawomanpersonallyinterested。Butitisofmoreimportancethatthelawshouldbealtered，thanthatIshouldbeapproved。ManyawomanmayBleakHouse，page529。Page2

livetothankHeaventhatIhadcourageandenergyleft，toattemptthetask：and，sincenoonecanforetelthefuture，evenmenmaypauseeretheyflingdownmypamphletwithmasculinescorn；foradaymaycome，——howeverimprobable，——tosomeoneofmyreaders，whenhewouldgivehisrighthand，forthesakeofsister，daughter，orfriend，thatthelawwereinsuchaconditionastoaffordachanceofjustice；withoutthepainofaprotractedstruggle，orthedisgraceofapublicbrawl。WhatIwrite，iswritteninnospiritofrebellion；itputsforwardnoabsurdclaimofequality；itissimplyanappealforprotection。Suchprotection，indegree，asisaccordedtoservants，toapprentices，tothesailoronthehighseas，toallwhomthelawadmitstobeinasubordinateandhelplessposition。

Suchprotection，indegree，ashaslatelybeenextendedtowomeninthelowerclasses，bythemorestringentlawsenactedintheirbehalf。

Inarguingmycasefrommyownexample，Iamnotignorantthattherearepersonswhothinksuchargumentblameableonothergrounds；whodeemahusband’srightsoindefeasible，andhistitlesosacred，thatevenawrongedwifeshouldkeepsilence。

Howfarwilltheycarrythatprinciple？Afewyearsago，aFrenchnobleman，theDucdePraslin，assassinatedhiswifeinthemidstofherslumberinghousehold。Whenmorningbroke，shewasdead；butmanyaproofremainedofthedesperateresistanceandagonizedeffortstoescape，madebythatwretchedwomanbeforeherdoomwascompleted。Dotheadvocatesofthedoctrineofnon—resistanceconsiderthatherdutywouldhavebeentosubmittranquillytothefatepre—determinedforher？Ifnot，letthemwaivejudgmentinmycase；forifchoicewereallowedme，Iwouldratherbemurderedandrememberedbyfriendsandchildrenwithloveandregret，thanhavetheslandersbelieved，whichmyhusbandhasinventedofme。Itishe，whohasmadesilenceimpossible。WithHIMreststhebreakingofthosesealswhichkeepthehistoryofeachman’shomesacredfromindifferenteyes。Page3

Hehasdeclaredhimselfmydeadliestfoe，whosedaggerhastoonearanaimtomissmyheart，——and，ofthetwo，IholdhisstabtobeworsethanthatoftheDucdePraslin，forhewouldassassinateevenmymemory。

Iresist。

Fortheshallowerrebuke，thatmineisanexceptionalcase；thatthelawneedscarcelybedisturbedtomeetasolitaryinstanceoftyranny；thereisareadyandreasonableanswer。ALLcasesrequiringlegalinterference，areexceptionalcases；anditwillscarcelybearguedthatabalancemustfirstbestruckinnumbers，andinstancesofwrongbereckonedbythedozenorthegross，beforejusticewillcondescendtoweighthescales。Butitdoesnotfollowthatmineisasolitaryexampleofinjustice，becauseitmaypossiblyhappen，fromacombinationofpeculiarcircumstances，tobetheinstancewhichshallcallattentiontothestateofthelaw。Hundredsofwomenaresufferingatthismoment，whosecasesarenotlesshard，butmoreobscure：anditconsistswithallexperience，thatalthoughwrongandoppressionmayberepeatedtilltheybecomealmostofdailyoccurrence，theystrikeatlastonsomeheartthatrevoltsinsteadofenduring；orarewitnessedbymenwhoseindignantsympathyworksoutreformandredress。Ineithercase，oppressionisbroughttoahaltnotbyamultitudeofinstances，butbysomesingleexample；whichexamplemaybeneithermorenorlessimportantthanothers，thoughitbemadetheargumentandopportunityofchange。

WearenottoldthatanyextraordinaryperfectionmarkedfordefencethepeasantchildofWilliamTell；norWatTyler’sdaughter；noreventhatvirgingirlofRome，forwhomhersirechosedeathratherthandegradation：

thedoomhadfallen，perhaps，onothervictimsquiteasworthy。Butitwasresistedforthembyheartsthatbeathighindefenceofhonestright；andtherefore（andnotforthevalueofthevictims）wereadintherecordsofhistory，ofapaganfatherwhotookhischild’slife；ofChristianfatherswhoperilledtheirown；andofthoseconvulsions，changes，andPage4

tumults，whichhadtheirproximateandapparentcauseinthedesiretoavengeatyrannousactdonetoapeasant’sson，——topunishinsultofferedtoacraftsman’sdaughter，——tokeepfromdefilementoneweakgirl，claimedbyadespoticruler，inthemarket—placeofsuperbRome；——butwhoserootwasinthisestablishedcertainty；thatinallhumansocieties，greatgeneralinjusticeshallbechecked，soonerorlater，byindividualresistance。

If，asIhavesaid，itdoesnotnecessarilyfollowthattheexampleofresistanceisalsotheexampleofcrowningwrong；soneitherdoesitfollowthatthereistyrannygreaterthanusualenacted，whenthebenefactorarises，whosechivalrousnatureseescauseforexertion，whereothermensawnone。Noteventhen，inthemeritofthesufferers，orthedegreeoftheirsuffering，liestheprospectofchange；butinthespiritofhimwhowillnottamelycontemplateanymiseryhethinkshemightrelieve。Hefollowsinthetrackofthosewhohaveall"passedbyontheotherside；"buthediffersfromtheminthis，thathepausestoknowwhatwoundedandmoaningthingisflungacrosshispath，andforthwithacceptsashisbusiness，thattaskofrescuewhichmoreselfishandcarelessmenhavedeclined。ThegoodSamaritaninScripture，addressedhimselftonopeculiarcase；heliftednobleedingherofromadisastrousbattle—field；norking，writhingundertheassassin’sstroke。

Amanlaygroaning，whohadfallenamongthieves。Thatisallweshalleverknowoftheexampleofhelp，givenasalessonofcharityeighteenhundredyearsago，tothefleetinggenerationsoftheworld！

Intheselaterdaysofmorecomplicatedsocialwrong；whenHOWARDroseamongstus，apostleofcompassiontosufferersbarredoutofsight；ourprisonswerenoworsethantheyhadbeen，norourprisonersbettermen；theirdungeonswerenotdarker，northeirfoodmorescant，northeirsighinglouder，northeircasemorepitifulthantheirswhohadgonebefore。Circumstancewasthesame，butthehazardofhelphadarrived。Page5

Thesighingwasheard，thedarknesswasperceived，thehungerforhumanpitywassatisfied，notforthesakeofthoseespecialprisoners，butbecauseHOWARDwascome。SoinERSKINE’Stime；thelawswerenotmoreoppressive，northeiroperationmoreunequal，thaninagenerationforegone；

norwerethemenwhohadtoabidebythelegaldecisionsoftheday，unusuallynotableandimportant。Theywerethecommonclientsofcommoncauses，sufferingundercommonandestablishedgrievances，arisingfromthosedefectsinourpatched—upsystem，whichnooneyethadcaredtoexamine，orhadfoundsufficientenergytocorrect。ButERSKINEcame；andwhenmentoldhimthatsuchdefectswerepartofthelaw"beforehewasborn，"heanswered，thatitwas"becausehewasnotborn，thatitwaslaw，"forthathewouldseeitalteredbeforehedied。

SowithROMILLY：itwasnonewthingthatrousedhisearnestnaturetostruggleforreformsinthescienceofthatprofessionwhichheatonceadoredanddetested。Manyaprisonerwithoutcounsel，hadstoodwistfullyatthebarbeforeROMILLY’S

time；listeningtolearnedaccusationsdimlyunderstood，destituteofdefence。

Manyalong—stainingblurandblotlayunremovedonthegreatscrollofournationalcode；whenhiswarmeloquence，enlargedviews，profoundthought，andkeencomparisonwiththeuniversallawofnations，workedtogetherforitsamendment。Hedidnotplead（forhecouldnotsohavepleaded）

thatthemenofhisdaywhofoundnohelpfromthatcode，werepeculiarmartyrs；ofhigherdesert，withmoreatrociousinjuriestoredress，andwithlesschanceofredressingthem，thanheretofore。Heknewthatthiswasnotthecase。Allwascommon，usual，inevitable；andbecausebeingcommon，usual，andinevitable，itwasalsoUNJUST，andnotformeritinthesufferers，orexcessinanyonecaseofsuffering，hestroveforchange，andeffectedit。

WeneedtheheartofaROMILLY

amongstusnow。Thatstrenuousheart，whoseenergeticpitymadenocompromisewithcustom；noreverflaggedorfaintedinthelife—longeffortPage6

toservehisfellow—men，till，inanhourofdeliriousregret，itsstrongpulsewasstilledforever。*

IfHEwerehere——ifhewerehere，whosovaluedtheweddedcompanionofhisownhome，thatwhenshediedhesank，scathedbyherlossasbylightning，——hewouldnotanswerwithcontentedapathy，"ITISTHELAW，"whenwomencomplainofinjustice！Hewouldstandfortherightnow，ashestoodinthoseotherdays，whenhenoblystrove，andpatientlyplanned，tomakeLawwhatitshouldbe，ameansofprotection，notanengineofoppression，totheweak。

Istherenoonewithheartgreatenoughtofillhisplace？

ITISTHELAW。Cananythingbemorecuriousthanthecrabbedobstinacyordespairingsighwithwhichthisreplyismade？asthoughwehadforourguidancetheedictsoftheMedesandPersians，ofwhichitwasfabledthattheyinvolvednoprincipleofchange。Yetchangesareperpetuallymadeinthemoststringentedictswehave。Thatwhichwaslawtothegenerationofyesterday，isnotlawtous；andthatwhichislawtous，maybereversedforthegenerationoftomorrow：whyshouldunjustlawsforwomenbemorepermanentthanotherunjustlaws？WeknowthatLAWwasmappedandplannedamongcivilisednationsasthegreatHighwaytoJUSTICE。Wheretheroadleadsastray，itshouldbemendedoraltered；anditisoneoftheboastsofourever—boastfulEngland，thatshedoesthis。Notindeedofasudden，withthestrokeofsomemagicwand；butafterfitfulstruggleanddelay，asallthingsaredoneonthistravailingearth；adelayproportionedtothestrengthofancientprejudices，thejealousyofcontendinginterests，theenergyorslacknessofthehandsthatdothework。

Neithermyspace，——normyboundedknowledge，——willpermitSirSamuelRomillylosthiswife，afteralongandhappyunion，onthe29thOctober，1818。Afterfourdaysandnightsofexcessiveanguishandgrieving，hismindbecamedisturbed，andhecommittedself—destruction。Page7

thatIshouldfollow，indetail，eventhemostrecentofthosechanges；buttakesuchinstancesasthehazardofmemory，ortheveryshallowestchance—referencecansupply；takethementirelyfromamongfactswithinthecognizanceoflivingmen；andyoushallcrowdintoafewpages，suchreversalofmercantile，political，social，andreligiousrights，ashavealteredthedestiniesoftheentirepopulationofEngland。Ourchildrenareborntothetranquilinheritanceofprivilegesthatwerestruggledforinourtime，withfury，ferment，andheart—break。Theystandonconqueredground；groundthatwasinchbyinchabattle—fieldtotheirfathers。Theyexchangeamongthemselvesascurrentandcommoncoin，thosetreasuresofLibertythatfreightedourargosiesinstormierdays；whentheywhowatchedthedoubtfulchance，knewnotiftheyshouldwitnessthesinkingofthewreck，orcheerourentrancetothehaven。Someofthecaptainsofthosedaysareatrest；butsomeareyetamongus；witnessesofthefollyofthosewhowouldsetachangelesslimit，tothatwhichofallthingsismostsusceptibleofchangeintheonwardprogressofanation——thecodebywhichitssocialinterestsaregoverned。

WhereisthegreatquestionofRomanCatholicEmancipation？Wherearetherestrictionsontrade？Thefirst，alreadyseemstoourchildrenalmostamatterofHistory；yettherearelivingmenwhoheardCANNINGgiveBROUGHAMtheliedirectintheEnglishSenate，whenthatquestiontrembledinthebalance；andthebrilliantAdvocateofmanycauses，inthekeenanxietyofthehour，tauntedthenewMinisterwithexchangingforthetriumphsofofficethesupporthehadpreviouslyaffordedit。Theotherisachangeofyesterday。Fresh，inthemourningmemoryoffriends，isthedeathofthatleaderwhomooredthevesseloftheStateinanuntriedanchorage，withthescornfulwordsthatherefusedtodirectitscourse"byobservationstakenin1842，"andthathewouldfeellesshumiliatedbythechargeofinconsistencythanbyanysupposedfearofacknowledgingthathehadalteredhisopinions。

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Whetheritbecontendedthatourrulerswereenlightenedorstruckblindwhentheyprojectedsuchchanges，——thechangesweremade：everyportionofthosetwosystemsremainsforourchildren，alawreversedorabarrierbrokendown。

WherearethegrossercorruptionsofourParliamentaryrepresentation？Sweptawayonemorninginastormofcheers。YetitisnotsolongsinceLordJohnRussellattemptedtosowthefirstfragileseedoftheReformBill，byproposingthatrottenboroughsshouldbepurchasedbythenation；theirownerstoreceivecompensationfromanindebtedcountry，fortheextinguishedrightofsellingsharesinwhatissupposedtobetheaggregateVoiceofthePeople。ItisnotsolongsincethesameMinisterofLibertyurgedtheclaimofthosegreatcapitalsofmercantileinterest，Manchester，Birmingham，andLeeds，toberepresentedinthelowerhouse，andurgedthatclaiminvain：sincehecomplainedofnationalapathyonthesubjectwhichafterwardsshookEnglandtoitscentre：andbeheldthatgreatmeasureofReformwhich，liketheburdenofSisyphus，hehadheavedupsooftenonlytoseeitrollbacktoitsformerposition，——allowedatlengthtorestintheEnglishSenate，——byfavourofamajorityofONE。

Thesearechanges，affectingpoliticalrights；struggledforbypoliticalmen；opposedorupheldbythewholemassofthepeople：butthereareothers，affectingsectionsofthecommunity，inwhichanequalorevengreateramountofalterationhasbeeneffected，andinwhichthevalueandpowerofindividualeffortismoredistinctlyvisible。OurSchools，ourPrisons，andourMad—houses，areallunderGovernmentsupervision。Theiroccupantsformclassessetapart——byhelplessnessofage，byerrorofconduct，andbythevisitationofGod——fromthosethathavefreecontroloftheirdestiny：andwepointwithpridetothemodelregularityofsystemandofarchitecturewhichwehaverecentlyintroducedforthebettermanagementoftheirinterests。

Howwasitbeforethechangecouldbeeffected？Howwasit，first，withthemostmiserableofthoseclasses，thePage9

insane？Obscurestruggles，halfmeasures，renewedefforts，marktheprogressfrom1763till，intheyear1788，MasonthePoetwroteapamphlet，findingbitterfaultwiththemanagementoftheYorkAsylum。Thetoneofhispamphletwascondemned。Thereisnothingsocietyresentssomuchashavingtheduckweedonthestillpondofitssurfacedisturbedbytheunder—currentofstrugglinglives。Societydidnotwanttohearaboutsuchhorrors；societywasoftheopiniontheycouldnotbehelped。MrMasonwasloudlyblamedforhisinterference，andheandhispamphletwerethrustaside。Aboutthreeyearsafterwards，therelativesofaninsaneQuakerbeingdiscontentedwiththeregulationsofthesameAsylum，renewedthecomplaintsMasonhadmade；andfollowedthemupwithconsiderableperseverance。Littlewasdonehowever，exceptthatthe’Retreat’atYorkwasestablishedbytheQuakersthemselves。Everysortofobstaclewasthrowninthewayofpublicinquiry。

Atlength（withpraiseworthyingenuity），thirteengentlemenqualifiedasGovernorsoftheYorkAsylumbypayingtwentyguineaseach，fortheexpresspurposeofgettingacommitteeoftheHouseofCommonsappointedtoexamineintothismatter。TheydidgettheCommitteeappointed；theexpensesofmostofthewitnessesbeingpaidbyasubscriptionraisedamongtheladiesofYork：andthusbeganthatinterferencewithamonstrousevil，whichisnowamatterofregulargovernmentcontrol。IntheparticularinstanceoftheYorkAsylum，themosthorribleabuseswerediscovered。Therewerebuttwoservantstoonehundredandtwentymalepatients；thefundshadbeenmisapplied；thebooksandregistriesburned；thegrossestimmoralitypractised；andinthereportofdeaths，144outof365hadbeensuppressed。

Astheinquiryspreadtootherasylums，moreandmorehorrorsweremadeknown。WhenMrWakefieldvisitedBethlem，amongcountlessotherinstancesofcrueltyonemanwasfoundwithanironringroundhisneck，anironbarroundhiswaist，andironpinionsonhisarms，fastenedtothewall；

andthishadPage10

enduredtwelveyearsatthepleasureofoneofthekeepers。IntheHouseofCorrectionatKendalamanhadbeeninsolitaryconfinementtenyears，thoughhehadintervalsofsanityofnineandtenmonths’duration。

Astotheconditionoftheinsanewomen，itwasonetoshudderat，nottospeakof。Inprivatemad—houses（inspiteofanactpassedin1774*）

matterswereasbad，orworse；andoneofthevisitingphysiciansdeclaredhewasillwiththeatmosphereoftheirfilth，"althoughaccustomedtothedissectingroom。"Atlength，in1816abillpassedtheCommons（andwaslostintheLords）"forthebetterRegulationofMad—houses；"andgraduallythatcametobeapublicandredressedwrong，whichhadbeenanobscuregrievance。

Ofourprisondiscipline，muchthesamehistorymaybetold。LongafterHoward’stime（whodeclaredin1773，thatsomiserablyoffwerethosekennelledsufferers，that"torotinjail，"wasanexactandnotafigurativeexpression，andthatmorepersonsperishedthusthanbypublicexecution），ourprisonsremained，forthemostpart，densofcorruption，disease，andtorture。In1804，MrNeild，amagistrateofAylesbury，（SecretarytoaSocietyforthereliefanddischargeofpoorDebtors），published，inthe’Gentlemen’sMagazine，’

observationsonChelmsfordandColchesterBridewells。Heafterwardspublishedanaccountofallthejailsinthisisland；whichhehadvisitedunauthorisedandunaided，Governmentdoingnothingtohelphiminhisself—imposedtask，andobstacleshavingbeenthrowninhiswaywhichwouldhaveweariedoutanylessbenevolentpatience。From1804to1812，heappearstohavebeenceaselessinhisendeavourstoprocuresomeamendment；andthough，whenFowellBuxtonfollowedin1818，andwhenMrsFrydevotedherselftothefemaleprisonersofNewgate，verylittlegeneralimprovementwasperceptible；

yetmuchBroughtunderthenoticeofParliamenttenyearspreviously。Page11

wasdoneinNeild’stimetomakeprogressalmostcertain，andaretrogrademovementimpossible。ThejailofAylesbury（withwhichhewasmoreimmediatelyconnected），andotherprisons，controlledintheirmanagementbymenlikehimself，becamewhatitisthecanttermofthedaytocall’ModelPrisons。’Theabusesofthosehecouldnotcontrol，wereexposedbyhim。ItbecameknownthatintheBoroughCompterprisonthedebtorslayuponboards；infilth，damp，anddiscomfort；felonsanddebtorsallhuddledtogether；noclassification，nocomfort，nodecency。

ThatinAyrjail，theprisonerslayonstraw，tillMrNeildsuppliedblanketsfromhisownprivatecharity。ThatinEdinburghjail，thesamemiseriesandevengreaterwereendured；noemploymentwaspermitted；andfelons（withanenlightenedregardforthestateoftheirsouls）wereabsolutelyexcludedbyrule，fromattendanceondivineservice。IntheprivilegedprisonofDoverCastle，whenitswarderwasthegreatMinisterLordLiverpool（whohadbeenprecededbyMrPitt），theprison—feesweresoenormousthatprisonersmightremaintwentymonthsintheCastleatthesuitoftheCrown，forsumstotallyirrespectiveoftherealdebtforwhichtheywereincarcerated。Theprisonwasinastateofshamefuldilapidation；

andaQuakergentlemengave800l。inthethreepercents，topavethecourtyardofthisroyaljail，andmakepermanentprovisiontoaidthepoorerdebtorsinobtainingtheirrelease。TheseweremerelysamplesoftheconditionofmostoftheprisonsinGreatBritain。InFowellBuxton’stimetheBoroughCompterwaslittlealtered；dirt，confusion，andmisery；

cold，sickness，andgambling；andtwentyprisonerssleepingoneightstrawbeds。This，again，ameresampleoftheconditionofotherjails。InMrsFry’stime，Newgate，whichwasbuilttohold480，heldfrom800to1200；

noclassification，noemployment，noinstruction；filththatsickenedandturnedtheheartfaint；instancesofdebtorsactuallystarvinginjail；

theaccusedandconvicted，sickandwell，abandonedwomen，andchildrenPage12

youngenoughtobeinthenursery，allhuddledtogether；prisonersemployedingambling，andcomplainingthattheyhadnothingelsetodo。

Idleness，contamination，riot，sickness，andblasphemy；norestbynight，andnopeacebyday；onlycorruption，mentalandphysical，hourlyleaveningamongneglectedswarmsoffellow—creatures，withbodiestocareforandsoulstobesaved。

Totheefforts，firstofoneearnestindividual，andthenofanother，mustbeattributedtheattentionslowlygrantedbysuccessiveGovernmentstothesegreatabuses；untilatlengththegreaterpartofourprisonshavebecomeatriumphandashow；

fromtheregulationsofwhichitneedsonlythatsomefutureNeildshouldexpungethebarbarousmistakeofprolongedsolitaryconfinement，tomakethemasperfectasplacesofthekindcanbe。

Totheeffortsofearnestindividuals，mustalsobeattributedthatcontrolnowexercisedovertheeducationofthepoor。WherewasEnglandinthisrespectfiftyorsixtyyearssince？In1798aMrLancasteropenedaschoolintheBoroughroad，whichinsevenyearsbecameafreeschoolforonethousandchildren。TheexpensesofMrLancaster’splanoutranhismeans，andaMrJosephFoxgavebillsfor3，600l。totaketheschooloutofdebt；riskingthissumwithoutanyveryclearprospectofrepayment，forthesakeofthecause。

Othergenerousandpublicspiritedmenthencameforward，andMrLancastertravelledthroughthecountrygivinglecturesandexplaininghisscheme。

Inconsequenceofthoselectures，forty—fiveschools，educating11，300

childrenwereestablished；intheyear1809，fiftyschools，educating14，200

childrenwereorganised；andatlength，atameetingheldattheFreemason’sTavernonthe11thofMay，1811，——twoRoyalPrinces（theDukeofYorkandtheDukeofSussex），movedandsecondedaresolution，thatMrLancasterdeservedthethanksandsupportofallEngland，forthatinfouryearshehadbeenthemeansofcausingsome25，000childrentobeeducated；andMrFrancisHorneratthesamePage13

meetingdeclared，thatofthe7，000childreneducatedinLancaster’sownschoolintheBoroughroad，notonehadeverbeenchargedinacourtofjusticewithanycriminaloffence。

Withthegreateducationalmovementwhichafterwardstookplace，andtheendeavourtomakethestateinsomedegreeresponsibleforthetrainingofthepeople，LordBROUGHAM’S

namemustforeverbenoblyassociated。Withhim（oneofthemostscientificallyeducatedmenofhisday），restedthetaskofarguingawaytheabsurdprejudicethatifthelowerclasseswereinstructed，theywoulddisdaintowork；

withhimrestedthelongstruggleagainsttheabusesofcharitabletrusts，andbequestsforeducationalpurposes；thesacrednessofwhichwassolittleunderstood，thatLordKenyonremarkedofthegrammarschools，that"everythingwasneglectedexceptthereceiptofsalariesandemoluments；"andLordEldon，that"allovertheKingdom，charityestatesweredealtwithinamanneramountingtothemostdirectbreachofTrust。"Therewasnosuchtranquiladmissiononallsidesasexiststo—day，thattheStateisboundtowatchoverandsecuretoitspoorermillionstheinestimableblessingofeducation。LordBroughamwasfloutedandopposed；andinnothingdidheencountermoreoppositionorgreaterodium，thaninhisattempttopreventthisembezzlementofthepropertyofthepoor。Withmostpertinaciousenergyhemadehimselftheirpioneertoknowledge；andmostassuredly，whenthebalanceofusefulnessisstruckinhisdazzlingandeccentriccareer，thetriumphcanneverbedeniedhimofhavingbeenamainmeansofsecuringtofuturegenerationsofEnglishmen，thefirstoflife’sblessingsbothindateanddegree；thatearlyandorderlytrainingwhichliftsatoilingmanabovethelevelofatoilingbrute；whichteacheshimtousethepowersofhissoulinadditiontothepowersofthebody；whichmakesslumberandfoodnolongerthesolerefreshmentoftheintelligentartisan，andthrowsalightintothelabourer’scottagebeyondthecommonlightofday。

ItisnotbecauseIundervaluethehelpthusgivenatalaterPage14

stageofthecause，thatIendeavouredtomarkthemomentwhennationalprogresswassetonfootbyindividualenergy。*

IknowthatwhenLancaster’stheorywasmadepublic，theDukeofBedfordandLordSomervillebecameeagersupportersofhisscheme；thattheKingandalltheRoyalFamilywarmlyassistedhim（astheyafterwardsdidhissometimerival，DrBell）；andthatinprocessoftime，theliberalityofthepublicbecamesogeneral，thattheLancastrianschoolsseemedsupportedratherbythelevyingofanationaltribute，thanbythepaymentofcollectedsubscriptions。ButthatwhichIinsistupon，isthesmallbeginningfromwhichthesegreatresultswereevolved。Notbynationalacclamationofanall—pervadingplan，butbytheresoluteandpatientstruggleofaprivateindividual——thatgreatschemeofNationalInstructionwasbegun。Whenitappearedlikelytofailforwantoffunds，aprivateindividual（MrJOSEPH

In1787，——thatwhichMrLancasterachievedmanyyearsafterwardsforENGLAND，wasattemptedforIRELANDbyMrThomasSheridan，sonofDrSheridan（thefriendofSwift），andthefatherofR。B。Sheridan。Thoughnotascholarbyprofession，——asDrSheridanwas，——hehadgreatclassicalattainments，andthedegreeofMasterofArtswasconferredonhimbothatOxfordandCambridge。Hewrotemuchonpracticaleducation；thenecessityoflearning"commonthings；"andthefollyofconfininginstructionsomuchtothestudyofthedeadlanguages。HehadlongplannedaNationalEstablishmentforIreland；fundsforwhichhebelievedmightinthefirstinstanceberaised，byputtingdownfreeschoolswhere，fromgradualabuse，nodutywasdone。Whenhistwosons，CharlesandRichardBrinsley，wereinconspicuouspublicsituations，——CharlesasSecretary—of—WarinIreland，andtheyounger，andmoredistinguished，inthezenithofhisfameinEngland，——MrT。SheridanreckonedonobtainingthenoticeandsupportofGovernmentforhiseducationalschemes，moreespeciallyasMrOrde（SecretarytotheDukeofRutland），tookaneagerinterestinthem。Thedeathhowever，oftheDuke，andtheremovalofMrOrde，checkedhisprojects；norwasitlikelyhewouldatthattimeobtainmuchencouragement。ThethenMinistrywasfartoobusywiththeintriguesofadividedCourt，——theimpeachmentoftheGovernor—GeneralofIndia，——thepaymentoftheCrownPrince’sdebts，——andthedisputeswhetherFoxhadorhadnotmockedtheEnglishSenatewithadeliberatefalsehood，sealedwiththePrince’sword，relativetothemarriagewithMrsFitzherbert，——tohavetimetospareforasanguineIrishman’splansforeducatinghiscountrymen；

andintheensuingyearMrSheridandied。Page15

FOX）riskedhis3，600l。tosaveitfromevilchance。Tohimjoinedfiveotherprivategentlemen（MrJACKSON，MrALLEN，MrCORSTON，MrSTURGE，andMrFOSTER），whosubscribed，andobtainedsubscriptionsfromothers，andformedthemselvesintoacommitteetomanageMrLancaster’saffairs。Whenthatbrilliantmeetingofthe11thofMay1811，washeld，itwasrathertoapplaudwhathadbeenachieved，thantorousetoaction：

tocongratulateonforegonevictories；andtoobtainfreshsubsidiesforthesuccessfulgeneralwhohadcarriedonthebattleagainstignorancewithanarmyofvolunteers。BeforethoseRoyalPrincestheDukeofKENT

andDukeofSUSSEX，——ortheChancellorofthePrinceRegent，——ortheDukeofBEDFORD，MarquisofLANSDOWNE，LordKEITH，FRANCISHORNER，andHENRY

BROUGHAM，——proposedresolutionsattheFreemason’sTavernas"FriendsoftheRoyalLancastrianSystemfortheEducationofthePoor，"——MrLANCASTER

hadlabouredinhisvocationforthirteenyears。WhenhisschoolwasfirstopenedintheBoroughroad，probablyhisverynamewasunknowntomostofthesegreatpersonages，andmanyanamelessnotableandlessrememberedhadgivensubstantialaidtothecause，beforetheybecameitspatrons。

Andnowletmeask，——isthereanyreasonwhyattentionshouldnotbecalledtothedefectivestateofLawsforWomeninEngland，asattentionhasbeencalledtoothersubjects：——namely，byindividualeffort？Isthereanyreasonwhy（attentionbeingsocalledtothesubject）Womenalone，ofthemorehelplessclasses，——theclassessetapartasnothavingfreecontroloftheirowndestinies，——shouldbedeniedtheprotectionwhichinothercasessuppliesandbalancessuchabsenceoffreecontrol？ArewetobelievethatthegentlemenofGreatBritainaresojealousoftheirprivilegeofirresponsiblepowerinthisonerespect，thattheywouldratherknowredressimpossibleincaseswhichtheythemselvesadmittobeinstancesofthegrossestcrueltyandbaseness，thanframelawsofcontrolforthemselvessuchastheyarewillingtoframeforothers？Page16

Willtheyeagerlyrestrictthelabourerormechanicfromviolenceandbrutalityinhiswretchedhome，andyetinsistontheirownrightofill—usageasaluxuryfairlybelonging（likethepossibilityofdivorce）

tothesuperiorandwealthyclasses？Isthere，——inthedispositionofthosewhoaretolegislate，——aninsurmountablebarriertofairlegislationonthissubject？andifnot，isthereanyreasonwhy（topleadthecauseoftheinferiorsexashumblyaspossible）thelawsandenactmentsfortheirprotectionshouldnotundergoasmuchrevision，withasfairachanceofbeneficialalteration，astheregulationsaffectingthemanagementofpauperchildren，——insanepatients，——andthetriedanduntriedprisonerswhooccupyourgaols？

Iforget；Imightpleadyetmorehumbly；Imightdropyetonegreatstepinthesocialscale，tofindamoreexactparallelwiththelegalpositionofwomeninthiscountry。

EnglandhaslatelymadeasortofovationtoanAmericanlady，whosegraphicandimpassionedappealontheanti—slaveryquestion，reachedEuropeintheguiseofaromance；

aromancewhichhassincebeentranslatedintomostmodernlanguages，——sothat"UncleTom’sCabin"hasbecomeeverywherea"householdword。"HadIbeeninEnglandatthetimeMrsBeecherStowevisitedus，Itoo，wouldhaveconsidereditaprivilegeandjoytoseeonewhosegeniusglorifiedthatsolemnandgloomyargument，andsentitamongstusclothedinlight。

Iwishhersuccess。Idesireheartilyforherthathernamemayhereafterberememberedwithablessing，amongthenamesofthosewhowereearlylabourersinadaynowdawning，thatshallbringhelptothehelpless。

Iholdhertasktobeaholyone，andslaveryanaccursedthing。

But，meanwhile，itmaynotbeuninterestingtothoseAmericanswhoareofacontraryopinion，andwhohavefeltwoundedatthemannerinwhichwehavecalledacrosstheAtlantictobidAmericarenouncetheerrorofherway，——tolookbacktothetime，——whensonewandunwelcomewasourconversiontothecreedofmercy，inourowncolonies，thatLordSeaforthPage17

wrotehometoMinistersin1802，tosayhehadoffendedthewholeislandofBarbadoesbyendeavouringtopersuadethemthatthewilfulmurderofaslaveshouldbemadefelony，insteadofbeingcompoundedforbyafineof11l。4s。ThetimewhenWILBERFORCEwasastrugglingenthusiastinanuncertaincause；whenourKing，PrinceofWales，andthewholeoftheRoyalFamily（withthesingleexceptionoftheDukeofGloucester），wereopposedtotheAbolitionBill；whenPittdespairedofcarryingthatmeasure，anditwasahotangrywaramongEnglishmenwhetheritshouldpassornot。Awarwhichcontinuedthroughyearsofdebatingandpamphleteering，beforethevictorywaswonbyourAbolitionists。

ItmaynotbeuninterestingtoAmericanstoknow，also，thatiftheywillexaminethereportsofourHouseofCommons，——afterthatstrugglewasfairlyended，andthenewlawhadbeenpassed，——theywillfindtheprototypeof"LEGREE"inthepersonof"ARTHURHODGE，Esq。，oneoftheMembersofhisMajesty’sCouncilfortheVirginIslands，"——who，intheyear1811，wasbroughttotrialandcondemnedforthemurderofaslavenamedProsperonhisestateintheislandofTortola，——whenhiscountlesscrueltieswereexposed，insworndepositionspreservedinthoserecords。There，AmericansmayfindtheoriginalofUNCLE

TOM，in"TOMBOILER，astout，hale，heartyman，"whointheyear1807waslaiddownandfloggedwithoutintermissionformorethananhourbyorderofHODGE，andbeingunabletoriseaftertheflogging，wascarriedtothesick—house；lingeredafewdays；andthendied。There，theywillfinditcomputedthatsixtyofHodge’sslaveshadperishedinthreeyearsfromseverityofpunishment，andnotmorethanthree，inthatperiod，haddiedanaturaldeath。AboutadozenofthesewretchedvictimsarenamedintheaffidavitsreportedtoourHouseofCommons；amongthemarewomenandchildren：

onechildoftenyearsold，namedTAMSEN，havingbeendipped（byorder）

intoacopperofboilingliquor，andtwoofthewomenhavinghadboilingwaterPage18

poureddowntheirthroats。YetwhenthissubjectofKingGeorgeofEnglandwastried，itwaspleadedforhiminopencourtthatanegrobeingproperty，itwasnogreateroffenseinlawforhisownertokillhimthantokilladog：thejury，thoughtheyreturnedaverdictof"guilty，"

byamajorityoftheirnumberrecommendedHodgetomercy：andGovernorElliotwrotehomeinhisdespatches，thathewasobligedtobepresent，asCommander—in—chief，——tocalloutthemilitia，——andtoproclaimmartiallaw，——inordertosecuretheexecutionofthesentence。Itisaremarkableadditionalfact，andshowsthestateoffeelingatthattime，thatalthoughtheseandathousandotherhorrorswereperfectlywellknown，ARTHURHODGE，Esq。，waswellreceivedinthesocietyoftheisland，andretainedhisrankas"oneoftheMembersofhisMajesty’sCouncil"uptothedayofhisarrest。

Butthesearethingsofthepast：horribleshadows，rememberedlikebaddreams：eventsthatnevercanoccuragainwhereEngland’slawhassway。ForEnglandisjustandmerciful；

andifsheisalsoalittleproudandpreaching，itisnomorethanallconvertstogoodcausesareapttobe，inthefreshearnestnessoftheirdesirethattruthslatelybroughthometothemselves，shouldbebroughthometoothers；andifshefindsfaultwiththelawsthatpermitoppressioninthecodeofothercountries，itisthatshehasnolawwhichpermitsoppressioninherown。

IbegtheattentionofbothmyAmericanandEnglishreaderstoacaseIfindcopied，fromareportina"CincinnatiGazette，"intothecolumnsofourown"Times"newspaper，inthemonthofNovember，1853。ItwasacasetriedintheCovingtonCircuitCourt，andbythereportitappears，thataslavenamedSamNorris，belongingtoaMrJ。N。Patton，ofVirginia，hadbeenpermittedtoworkinCovington，onconditionofpayingeachyearacertainsumtohismaster；whichsumwasaccordinglypaid：thattwoyearsago，MrPattonproposedthattheslaveshouldpurchasehisfreedombythepaymentofPage19

acertainadditionalsum，whichsumwasnearlypaidupwhenMrPattonchangedhismind，rescindedthecontract，andclaimedSamNorrisashisslave。Thecasewasarguedwithmuchability；butatthecloseoftheargumentthejudgedecidedforMrPattonagainstSamNorris，onthisprinciple，thatbythelawofKentucky"aslavecannotmakeacontract，norcanhehavemoniesofhisown。"Thecontract，therefore，wasnullandvoid；andthemoney，thoughreceivedandexpendedbythemaster，couldnotbeheldlegallytohavebeenpaid。Thereportconcludeswiththisconsolatoryadmission，thattheHon。JudgePryor，beforewhomthecasewastried，"characteriseditasoneofgreathardshipandcruelty；

andeveryoneinthecourt—roomseemedtosympathisedeeplywiththepoornegro。"InthatsympathyImosttrulyshare；butthecasehasbesidesapeculiarinterestforme，——inasmuchasIfind，intheslavelawofKentucky，anexactparallelofthelawofEnglandforitsmarriedwomen；andinthispassageinthelifeofthepoorslaveSamNorris，anexactcounterpartofwhathaslatelyoccurredinmyown。

I，too，hadacontract。

Myhusbandbeingdesiroustoraisemoneysettledonmeandmysons，toemployonhisseparateestate，andrequiringmyconsentinwritingbeforethatcouldbedone，gavemeinexchangeforsuchconsentawrittencontractdrawnupbyalawyer，andsignedbythatlawyerandhimself。Whenhehadobtainedandemployedthemoneyhewasdesiroustoraise，likeMrPattonofVirginiaheresolvedto"rescindthecontract。"WhenI，liketheslaveNorris，endeavouredtostruggleagainstthisgrossbreachoffaith，——I

wasinformedthatbythelawofEngland，"amarriedwomancouldnotmakeacontract，orhavemoniesofherown。"WhenIcomplainedofit，——Iwaspunishedbyafloodoflibellousaccusations，publishedinalltheEnglishnewspapers；libelsforwhich，thoughprovedfalsehoods，Icouldobtainnoredress，becausetheywerepublishedbymyhusband。ThecircumstancethatMrNorton，likeMrPatton，hadobtainedPage20

alltheadvantagehesoughtwhenhewentthroughtheformalityandpretenceofmakingacontractwithme，madenodifference；andastomoney，eventhatwhichIearnedbyliteraturewassubjecttotheclaimofmyhusband，asthemanuallabouroftheslavewassubjecttotheclaimofhismaster，——becauseamarriedwomanis，bythecodeofEngland，（asSamNorrisbythecodeofKentucky）non—existantinlaw。ItisfitthatIshouldadd，inbehalfofEnglishheartsandEnglishloveofjustice，thatwhenIstood，withthatvaincontractinmyhand，intheWestminsterCountyCourt；（I，anintelligenteducatedwoman，grand—daughterofamansufficientlydistinguishedtohaveobtainedsepultureinWestminsterAbbey，hardby，）andwhenthelawwasshowntobe，forme，whatitisfortheslaveofKentucky，therewas，inthecourt—roomoftheWestminsterCountyCourt，astherewasinthecourt—roomoftheCovingtonCircuitCourt，evidenceofstrongsympathy。Mycase，——whichopenedupahistoryofwrong，treachery，libel，andinjusticeenduredforyearswithoutredress——wasevidentlyconsideredlikethatofNorris，tobe"oneofgreathardshipandcruelty，"andtheconcludingwordswithwhichMrNortonvehementlyattemptedtoaddressthecourt，weredrownedinthegroansandhootingofanexcitedcrowd。ButsympathycoulddonomoreformethanforMrPatton’sslave。ItcouldnotforceopenformetheirongatesoftheLAWwhichbarredoutjustice。

Itcouldnotpreventlibel，andtorment，andfraud；therippingupofoldwounds，ortheinflictionofnew。TheLAWalonecoulddothat，iffitlawsofprotectionexistedforwomen。Thattheydonotexist，ismycomplaint。

Thattheydonotexist，mightpointascornfulanswerfromnationsweimperiouslylectureontheinternaleconomyoftheirowngovernments。WehaverebukedAmerica，tauntedNaples，complainedofSweden，remonstratedwithTuscany，condemnedPortugal，andpositivelyshudderedatAustria（inthepersonofHAYNAU），becauseslaveryintheone，thetreatmentofpoliticalprisonersinanother，religiousintoleranceinPage21

third，andaboveall，thetreatmentofWOMENinthelast，offendsourverysouls。IsEnglandthenincapableofanybutaBORRIOBOOLAmission？Issheforevertoprefermakingasortof"Sterne’sSentimentalJourney"intoothercountries，tofulfillingherdutiesathome？Theforeignerswearesofondofreproving，seewithdisgustandabhorrenceourownmethodofdealingwithcertainlaws。Tothem，ourmercantileanduncertainspeculationof"damages，"——thewonderfulindecencyofourdivorcetrials，——theincrediblefactthatthewomanaccusedisallowednodirectdefence，andcannotappearbycounselonsuchoccasions——thelothandreluctantadmission（andthatofveryrecentdate）oftherightofamothertoherinfantchildren，——arealikeodiousandincomprehensible。IwillventuretosaythatinnocountryinEurope，isthere，infact，solittleprotectionofwomenasinEngland。Englandthefault—finder；Englandtheuniversallecturer；England——wheretoaddtotheabsurdanomalyofthisstateofthings，theSaliquelawisconsideredabarbarism，andoffenceagainstafemaleSovereignistreason。

Thecontrastbetweenthatwhichwepermit，andthatwhichwedisallow，bordersalmostontheburlesque。IfMrNorton，amagistrateandmemberofthearistocracy，hadcheatedatagameofcardsplayedbyafewidlersinoneoftheclubsofLondon，allEnglandwouldhavebeeninaferment。

Accuserswouldhaverisen；friendswouldhavehungtheirheads；andforthesakeofsomedandy’spurse，theinvocationtojusticewouldhavebeenmadeinsuchasternuniversalshout，aswouldhavesentanechothroughallEurope。OrifI，whilevisitingforeignlands，hadinvestedmyselfwiththedignityofaself—appointedmessengerofGod；ifIhadbrokendownthefencethatguardsothermen’sconsciences，andtrespassedtheretosowwhatIconsidered"thegoodseed；"ifIhadforcedonreluctantRomanCatholics，tractsofinstructioninmyownformoffaith，andhadbeenarrestedforthattrespass，——thenindeed，ImighthopetoattracttheattentionoftheGovernmentofmyowncountry，andmycasemightbewarmlyadvocatedatPage22

somesuchmeetingasstoodadvertisedintheEnglishnewspapersforNov。29，1853，headed，"PersecutingLawsinPortugal，Tuscany，andMalta；theEarlofShaftesburyinthechair。"ButintheEnglishlawswhichwreckawoman’swholedestiny；inthelawwhichpermitsthemostindecentandatrociouslibelagainsther，withoutachanceoflegaldefence，——inthelawwhichcountenancesandupholdsfarworsethancheatingatcards，andrendersnullandvoidacontractsignedbyamagistrate，becausethatcontractwasmadewithhiswife，——inthelawwhichgivesawoman’searningsevenbyliterarycopyright，toherhusband，——inthewholeframework，inshort，ofthoselawsbywhichherexistenceismergedintheexistenceofanother，（letwhatwillbethecircumstancesofhercase；）andbywhichJusticeinfactdivestsherselfofallcontrolandresponsibilityinthematter——Englandseesnothingworthyofremark。

Withwhatascornfulretortmightthenationsweundertaketolecture，answerourbusy—bodymeddling！

"Protectyourownwomen。Lookathome，forinstancesoftyranny，persecution，andunavailingappealsforjustice。Donottroubleyourselvesyet，aboutthedenialofsocialrightstoslaves，orthoselawsofKentuckywhichseeminsuchharmonywithyourown；donotevenpretendtoshudderatthedisgracefulchastisementinflictedonAustrianwomen，forwhatintheirlandistreason。Cometouswhenyourmagistratesdonotmakeaprofitofthelawtheyadminister；whenyouraristocracyarenotguiltyofviolenceandbrutalitytotheirwives，whichtheyexcusebylibelsinyourgazettes；

whenthedaughtersofyourstatesmendonotstandinyourcourtsoflaw，ignoblybaitedforassertingjustclaims。Thatsuchthingsshouldoccur，inyourvain—gloriousland，maybeonlyaprivateandindividualwrong；

butthatsuchthingsshouldoccur，withimpunity，——uncontrolledandunpunishedbylaw，——isnolongeraprivatewrong，butanationaldisgrace。"

Ishallnowgiveanarrativeofmyowncase，asanexampleofwhatcanbedoneundertheEnglishlawof1853。IfthePage23

publicationfailtodrawanypermanentattentiontothelawitself，atleastitwillremainacuriousrecordofinjustice，inacountryespeciallyboastfulofitsliberalandmagnanimousenactments。Iftherecordappearunimportantasthemerehistoryofawoman’swrongs，itmayhaveinterestasinvolvingapassageinthelifeofoneofEngland’sPrimeMinisters。

Ihaveendeavouredtomakethenarrativeasclearaspossible，bydividingintothreeoutlines，——1st，thestrangemutualpositionofMrNortonandmyselfwithrespecttomoney—matters，bothbeforeandafterourseparation，——2dly，thetreatmentIreceivedasawife；takenfromthepaperssubmittedatthetimetolawyersemployedforme——and，——3dly，LordMelbourne’sopinionoftheaffairsinwhichhisnamewasinvolved；copiedwordforwordfromhisownletters。Ihavehadthat，andallothercorrespondence，printedinItalics；thattheinterruptionsmaybemoredistinct，andthatsuchpersonsasarealreadyfamiliarwithsomeoftheletters，mayomitthematpleasureandcontinuethenarrative。

Ihavetakencounselofnoone；andnooneisresponsibleforthementionofnames，oroftheparttakenbyfriendsinthesemiserableaffairs。IfanyseecausetoregretwhatIhavedone，letthemblametheLAW。

Thispamphletaddressesitself，nottoprivatesympathy，buttoEnglishjustice：itisanattempttoarguethereformwhichoughttobe，fromtheabusethathasbeen：——acomplaintoftheexerciseofirresponsiblepower，tothesourceofpower：——anappealfromTHELAW，asitstands，totheLegislaturewhichframesandalterslaws。

Ibeginbyanexplanationofourmutualpositionastomoney—matters；becauseMrNortonhasbroughtourdisputestoacrisisonapecuniaryclaim；becausehehasfalsifiedthewholehistoryofthosematters；andbecause，fromthefirst，ourpositioninthisrespectwasextraordinaryandanomalous；inasmuchasinsteadofMrNortonbeing，eitherbytheexerciseofhisprofessionorpatrimonialproperty，whatGermanscallthePage24

"Breadfinder，"itwasonmyliterarytalentsandtheinterestofmyfamily，thatoursupportalmostentirelydepended，whileIstillhadahome。

MrNortonhaslatelyspoken（inthefabuloushistorieshehasgiventothepublicthroughthemediumofthenewspapers）oftheprofoundandpatientattachmentheentertainedformeprevioustoourunion。Idomostsolemnlydeclarethatatthetimehefirstdemandedmeofmymotherinmarriage，Ihadnotexchangedsixsentenceswithhimonanysubjectwhatever。MrNortonwasbrothertoLordGrantley；andthegovernesstowhosecareIwasconfided，happeningtobesistertoLordGrantley’sagent，thefemalemembersoftheNortonfamily，fromcourtesytothislady，invitedherandsuchofherpupilsasshechosetoaccompanyher，toLordGrantley’shouse。AsisterofMrNorton’s，aneccentricpersonwhoaffectedmasculinehabitsandplayedalittleontheviolin，amusedherselfwithmyearlyversesandmyloveofmusic，andtookmorenoticeofmethanofmycompanions。TheoccasionsonwhichIsawthisladywerenotfrequent；andstillmorerareweretheoccasionsonwhichIhadalsoseenherbrother；itwasthereforewithafeelingofmereastonishment，thatIreceivedfrommygovernesstheintelligencethatshethoughtitrighttorefusemetheindulgenceofaccompanyingheragaintoLordGrantley’stillshehadheardfrommymother；asMrNortonhadprofessedhisintentionofaskingmeinmarriage。Thisladyisstillliving，andcananswerfortheexacttruthofmystatement。

AlmostthefirststepMrNortontook，afterhehadmademymother’sacquaintance，wastobegherinterestwithamemberoftheroyalfamily，whosegoodwordwiththeChancellorEldonwastoprocurehimasmalllegalappointment；andfromthedayweweremarriedheneverceasedimpressinguponme，thatasIbroughthimnopresentfortune（myportionbeingonlypayableonmymother’sdeath），IwasboundtouseeveryeffortwiththepoliticalfriendsofmyPage25

grandfather，togethimlucrativepromotioninhisprofession。

IfoundthismoredifficultthanIexpected。ThememoryofMrSheridanamongtheWhigparty，wasnotheldinthataffectionwhichinmyinexperienceIhadfancied；andifithadbeen，IdonotknowthatitwouldhavebeenasufficientpleaforservingMrNorton，whocouldputforwardnopersonalclaimsforemployment。Idid，however，whatmyhusbandrequested。Ibesieged，withvariouslywordedlettersofimportunity，thefriendswhomIknewasthegreatnameslinkedwiththecareerofmygrandfather；andwhilewaitingtheresultofthepetitionsIhadsownonsowideafield，Iturnedmyliteraryabilitytoaccount，bysellingthecopyrightofmyfirstpoemtoMessrsEbersofBondstreet。ItisnotwithoutacertaindegreeofromanticpridethatIlookbackandknowthatthefirstexpensesofmyson’slifeweredefrayedfromthepriceofthatfirstcreationofmybrain；andbeforethatchildwastwoyearsold，Ihadprocuredformyhusband，——（forthehusbandwhohaslatelyoverwhelmedme，mysons，andhisdeadpatronwithslander，ratherthanyieldamiserableannuity）——aplaceworthathousandayear；thearduousdutyofwhichconsistedinattendingthreedaysintheweek，forfivehours，tohearcausestriedinthesimplestformsoflaw。Fromthatdaytothepresent，myhusbandhasalwaysconsideredthatIoughttoassisthim——insteadofhissupportingme。Thedependanceuponmyliteraryeffortsforallextraresources，runs，asamatterofcourse，throughallthelettersIreceivedfromhimduringourunion。ThenamesofmypublishersoccurasiftheywereMrNorton’sbankers。

IfMurrayofAlbemarlestreetwillnotacceptapoem，——ifBullofHollesstreetdoesnotcontinueamagazine，——ifHeathdoesnotoffertheeditorshipofanAnnual，——ifSaundersandOtleydonotbuytheMS。ofanovel，——ifColburn’sagreementisnotsatisfactoryandsufficient，——ifPowerdelayspaymentforasetofballads，——if，inshort，theWIFEhasnoearningstoproduce，theHUSBANDprofesseshimselftobe"quiteatalosstoknow"Page26

howthenextdifficultyofpaymentistobegotover。Ononeoccasion，whenIhadbeenemployedtowritewordstoSpanishmusic，byanofficerofsomedistinction，andwasextremelylothtoexpresstothisgentlemantheopinionMrNortonwishedconveyedtohim，——namely，thatpaymentwastoolongdelayed，——MrNortonhimselfundertookthetaskofdunninghim，forthestipulatedsumbywhichhewastoprofit。Iworkedhard，andwasproudofmysuccess。Ibroughttomymanytasksalltheenergywhichyouth，highspirits，ambition，goodhealth，andthetriumphofusefulnesscouldinspire；joinedtoawishforliteraryfame，soeager，thatIsometimeslookbackandwonderifIwaspunishedforitbyunenviableandadditionalnotoriety。

【推荐阅读】幽幽深宫，醒来一梦似千年，重生于下堂妃身躯中的她，将如何手刃仇人? 点击阅读